Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Transport for London (TfL) have unveiled plans to rapidly expand physical infrastructure dedicated to cycling and walking in the UK capital.
The London Streetspace programme aims to relieve pressure on other transport modes and help enable social distancing when Covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.
Modelling by TfL has revealed there could be more than a 10-fold increase in kilometres cycled, and up to five times the amount of walking, compared to pre-Covid levels, if demand returns.
Working with London’s boroughs, TfL will roll out a number of changes designed to serve this unprecedented demand for walking and cycling.
Plans include the rapid construction of a strategic cycling network, using temporary materials, including new routes aimed at reducing crowding on Underground and train lines, and on busy bus corridors.
Wider footways on high streets and reducing traffic on residential streets to create of low-traffic neighbourhoods across London round out the plans.
Gareth Powell, managing director of Surface Transport at TfL, said: “As people are choosing to walk and cycle, both for their essential journeys and for exercise during the lockdown it is vital that they have the space to do so safely and are able to continue socially distancing.
“The London Streetspace programme – providing more space for walking and cycling – will support that.
“It will also play a crucial role as London approaches the challenge of maintaining social distancing as restrictions on movement are relaxed.”
Euston Road is one of the first main thoroughfares to feature temporary cycle lanes. Park Lane could follow suit under plans being studied.
Meanwhile, pavements have already been doubled in size at Camden High Street and Stoke Newington High Street and widened at six further locations, with more to follow in the coming weeks.
The temporary schemes will be reviewed by TfL – and could become permanent.
The measures announced are said to be just the beginning, with more information on the London Streetspace plans set to be announced shortly.
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